People in our society tend to hold on to their own beliefs, misunderstandings, and superstitions. Regrettably, the same is true with our family members. Here is a list of frequent pool myths you might hear, provided by our Virginia pool specialists. Here, we’ll find out how much of them are true.
Chlorine smell in the pool means it’s clean
It’s a common misperception that a pool’s strong chlorine odor denotes cleanliness and security. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Chloramines, which are produced when chlorine interacts with organic materials like perspiration, urine, and sunscreen on swimmers, are what give the pool its chemical smell. Chloramines in high concentrations can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, and they can even make asthma symptoms worse. So, a strong chlorine odor in the pool indicates that the water need additional care in order to preserve the chemical balance and assure swimmer safety.
Pools turn red if someone pees in them
This is a widespread misconception that is unsupported by science. In truth, there is no molecule that can distinguish between urine and water color. It is important to remember that peeing in the pool puts swimmers’ health at danger in addition to being unclean. Nitrogen from urine can combine with chlorine to form chloramines and trihalomethanes, which are unhealthy byproducts that can irritate the skin, cause respiratory disorders, and affect other bodily functions.
Pools need to be shocked regularly
It is not required to shock a pool with a lot of chlorine to maintain it clean and secure. But, in some circumstances, such as when the chlorine levels fall below the permissible range, the water is murky, or the pool has had significant bather loads, shocking is advised. Regular chlorine treatments might not be able to completely get rid of germs and other impurities, but shocking the pool can assist.
Saltwater pools are chemical-free
Although saltwater pools use salt to produce chlorine instead of adding chlorine directly, they still use chemicals to keep the water clean and safe. The saltwater generator in the pool uses an electrolytic process to break down the salt and create chlorine, which then sanitizes the pool water. While saltwater pools are generally considered less harsh on the skin and eyes than traditional chlorine pools, they still require regular maintenance and monitoring to keep the chemical balance in check.
Peeing in the pool is harmless
Peeing in the pool is not safe and may have detrimental effects on your health. Nitrogen from urine can combine with chlorine to generate dangerous compounds like cyanogen chloride and trichloramine, which can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, among other health problems. Pee can also contribute to the production of chloramines, which can give off a strong chlorine odor in the pool and make swimming difficult for swimmers. Consequently, it’s crucial to remind everyone to use the restroom instead of peeing in the pool.
In conclusion, there are a number of pool-related myths that people hold to be true and which may have detrimental effects on the health and safety of swimmers. It is essential to dispel these misconceptions and inform the public of the value of good cleanliness, chemical balance, and pool care procedures. Keep in mind that a pool’s strong chlorine odor does not always indicate that it is clean, and peeing in a pool is not completely risk-free. The water in the pool must be regularly monitored, cleaned, and maintained to keep swimmers safe. Dolphin Pool Services offers maintenance packages and many other pool related services. Feel free to get in touch with us!
